The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 275

Best Friends with Serena Vander?

At first, Walter was in a daze, seeing his ex-wife looking so beautiful.

But then, he heard Cassandra’s concerns.

“Walter, Xavier wants everyone to know I was once your mistress,” Cassandra implied.

It hit him—Xavier’s unexpected attendance.

Walter could not believe it.

He never thought that Xavier was this vengeful. He really came with the intention of announcing to everyone that he was his child from his first marriage. He even brought Claire with him!

Panic rose in his chest. Walter turned around and said, “Don’t worry, Cassandra. I won’t recognize him or Claire. Let’s just ignore them and let everyone think he came here uninvited.”

“Dad!” Christian reacted, but after glaring at his youngest son, the latter leaned back.

“This is so wrong, Dad,” Christian said.

But, to Walter’s astonishment, the procurement consulting firm that had organized the event on behalf of VanderMed Technologies was all over Xavier. They even walked along with him, as if regarding him as a… boss?

‘

What was going on?’ Walter and his family were baffled.

What shocked him the most was that Xavier walked past them, and he didn’t even look their way.

The same could be said for Alice and his ex-wife, Claire.

They all had a little world of their own, not minding other people’s business.

Walter overheard the organizers address Xavier politely.

“Yes, Mr. Dorian, everything has been accounted for.”

“Miss Vander and her fiancé are on their way.”

“Please take a seat, and we will bring in the proposals for you to look at.”

Xavier was seated four tables away, but Walter heard it clearly.

He suddenly felt nervous. ‘Why were the organizers giving him proposals? What proposals?’

Food attendants suddenly walked over to Xavier’s table, offering coffee and canapés as he flipped through folders.

Alice was helping him organize them, while Walter’s ex-wife simply enjoyed an expensive bottle of wine.

“What is going on?” Cassandra finally asked.

All their children were equally baffled.

A few minutes later, they saw another prominent couple walk into the ballroom. Haley was the first one to recognize them.

“Dad, that is Nathaniel Thorne, and that must be the mysterious ex-wife everyone in Velmon has been talking about,” Haley muttered.

Walter had researched the Vander family. The woman next to Nathaniel was Serena Vander, Silas Vander’s twin. So Nathaniel and Serena were a couple? It was such a small world.

For a moment, Walter caught Serena’s eyes on him.

‘Does she know me?’ Walter wondered.

Then Nathaniel also looked at their table.

“No, Dad,” Haley suggested. “I think Mr. Thorne recognizes me!”

“Oh my God, Haley!” Cassandra exclaimed. “What great news.”

They were already rejoicing, but just as they did, Serena loudly announced, “Ah, there’s my best friend.”

Serena Vander and Nathaniel Thorne were now standing right in front of their table. They were looking in the direction of… Xavier and Alice?

Xavier was polite, a bit playful, but still maintained a commanding aura.

Then another mind-blowing thing happened. Serena approached Claire, greeted, “Aunt Claire? How is that five-million-dollar farmhouse Xavier bought for you in Greenville? What have you been doing with that five-acre land?”

Claire laughed. Her face was red as she revealed, “Oh, nothing. You know me, Serena. I love to plant. I have been growing some nuts and berries lately, and my workers are helping me maintain the place well.”

“That’s wonderful to hear, Aunt,” Serena beamed. “Xavier did the right thing in investing in that property ten years ago.”

Claire smiled at Xavier, saying, “Yes, my son spoils me so.”

"Aunt Claire, I just love that jewelry set. I'm so jealous of you right now. I remember this is one of ten sets Xavier bought you, right?" Serena said aloud.

Claire laughed it off. "There are so many, I honestly can't remember."

"Xavier did right by you, Aunt. I would too if I were earning more than a million dollars a year," Serena casually mentioned.

Walter, "???"

At that point, Walter was ready to march up to Xavier and clarify his relationship with the Vanders, but just then, a master of ceremonies stood on stage and called everyone’s attention.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Let us begin tonight’s event with a welcome speech from VanderMed Technologies’ Vice President.”

“A graduate of Velmon City College of Medicine, where he earned high honors, he went on to work with some of the leading medical companies in the industry. He later joined VanderMed Technologies, where he quickly rose to a managerial position and, within just two years, became the company’s Vice President. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Xavier Dorian!”

Walter’s eyes widened. His mouth fell open.

Cassandra’s face twisted into something unrecognizable, whereas Hudson and Haley gulped repeatedly.

“Whaaat?” Cassandra reacted. “Is this… a joke?”

But... it wasn't a joke. Xavier stood up from his table and went up on stage.

And just like that, Walter realized, the future of his company rested in the hands of the son he had abandoned.